Effects of α s1-casein (CSN1S1) and κ-casein (CSN3) genotypes on milk coagulation properties in Murciano-Granadina goats

The effects of the caprine α s1-casein (CSN1S1) polymorphisms on milk quality and cheese yield have been widely studied in French and Italian goat breeds. Much less is known about the consequences of κ-casein (CSN3) genotype on the technological and coagulation properties of goat milk. In the current study, we have performed an association analysis between polymorphisms at the goat CSN1S1 and CSN3 genes and milk coagulation (rennet coagulation time, curdling rate and curd firmness) and technological (time to cutting of curd and cheese yield) properties. In this analysis, we have included 193 records from 74 Murciano-Granadina goats (with genotypes constituted by different combinations of alleles B, E and F of the gene CSN1S1 and alleles A and B of the gene CSN3) distributed in three herds, which were collected bimonthly during a whole lactation. Data analysis, using a linear mixed model for repeated observations, revealed significant associations between CSN1S1 genotypes and the rate of the curdling process. In this way, milk from EE goats had a significantly higher curdling rate than milk from BB individuals (P<0?·05). Contrary to previous experiments performed in French breeds, cheese yield was not significantly different in BB, EE and EF goats. Moreover, we have shown that CSN3 genotype has a significant effect on the rennet coagulation time (BB>AB, P<0?·05) but not on cheese yield. No interaction between the CSN1S1 and CSN3 genotypes was observed.     

Volatile composition of pomegranates from 9 Spanish cultivars using headspace solid phase microextraction

Fruits of 9 Spanish pomegranate cultivars were analyzed for quality parameters, volatile composition, and sensory profile. Volatile compounds were extracted using headspace solid phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Twenty-one compounds were found in the headspace of fresh pomegranate juices, including aldehydes, monoterpenes, and alcohols. The most abundant compounds were hexanal, limonene, trans-2-hexenal, and cis-3-hexenol. Fruits from the cultivars Mollar Elche(ME) ME14, ME1, and ME2 presented the highest values of overall liking by the consumer panel; however, their total volatiles concentration were low compared to the other pomegranate cultivars and their color intensity was intermediate. Overall consumer liking of pomegranate juices was mainly associated with the presence of monoterpenes (α-terpineol); however, high aldehydes (trans-2-hexenal) concentrations were correlated with poor overall consumer liking. Fruits from sour-sweet cultivars (PTO7 and ADO4) could improve the quality of ME pomegranate juices due to their intense color, high monoterpenes concentrations, and their moderate sourness. Practical Application: The information provided in this study proves that sour-sweet pomegranate fruits can be used in the manufacturing of pomegranate juices and will improve the sensory quality and the volatile composition of this product.     

Synthesis of mechanisms for single and hybrid tasks using differential evolution

The optimal dimensional synthesis for planar mechanisms using differential evolution (DE) is demonstrated. Four examples are included: in the first case, the synthesis of a mechanism for hybrid-tasks, considering path generation, function generation, and motion generation, is carried out. The second and third cases pertain to path generation, with and without prescribed timing. Finally, the synthesis of an Ackerman mechanism is reported. Order defect problem is solved by manipulating individuals instead of penalizing or discretizing the search space for the parameters. A technique that consists in applying a transformation in order to satisfy the Grashof and crank conditions to generate an initial elitist population is introduced. As a result, the evolutionary algorithm increases its efficiency.     

Does the subdural space exist?

A potential space between the dura mater and the arachnoides is thought to exist, occupied by a serous fluid and called the subdural space. Recent studies may change this classical concept, however. The dura-arachnoid complex from the epidural to the arachnoid space is formed by morphologically distinct layers: the dura mater, the subdural compartment and the arachnoid mater, which are made up of different cell types. The dura mater consists of greater and lesser laminae formed mainly of collagen fibers aligned differently. The subdural compartment is formed by a number of so-called "neurothelial cells", which are in close contact with the inner dural layers. These cells are flat and have long interlaced branches. The arachnoides are made of cells grouped in three different layers. The outer layer is the "barrier arachnoid layer". Located just inside the anterior cell plane, this layer is made of less flattened cells that form an epithelial-type tissue, with complex cell-cell junctures surrounded by collagen fibers. The middle layer is the reticular arachnoid, composed of irregularly interlaced cells alternating with collagen fibers and intercellular gaps of varying sizes. The innermost layer, the trabecular arachnoid, is in direct contact with the subarachnoid space. The cells of this layer form strands that contribute to the weblike pattern found in the subarachnoid space. Recently, special techniques for fixing and preparing samples, preserving in situ the anatomical relations between the arachnoides and the dura mater, have allowed us to examine the normal configuration of the subdural space. All samples examined revealed the presence of a cellular plane between the dura mater and the arachnoides, with no evidence of the classically described space. The zone of least resistance in the dura-arachnoid complex was the subdural compartment, which could be torn mainly along intercellular spaces, though cell rupture was also observed, affecting the cytoplasmic membranes of adjacent cells. The subdural space is opened by tearing the subdural compartment between neurothelial cells alongside the collagen fibers of the dura mater. Such a tear can be caused mechanically by injecting air or contrast media, which exert pressure on a laminar structure that tends to separate because it is weaker than neighboring ones.     

Haloacetic acids and trihalomethanes in finished drinking waters from heterogeneous sources

Trihalomethanes (THM) and haloacetic acids (HAA) are the most frequent chlorination by-products (CBP) in finished drinking waters. Traditionally, THM have been used as surrogates for CBP although the quantitative association between THM and other CBP is not well established. This problem is addressed in the present study from the analysis of THM and HAA in drinking water samples from four Spanish regions, representing areas with very different CBP composition, e.g. between 86 and 8.0 microg/l of THM and 50-3.0 microg/l of HAA.The resulting dataset exhibit a statistically significant correlation between total THM and HAA (Pearson's correlation coefficient, r(p)=0.815,p<0.0005). Furthermore, specific HAA are highly correlated with specific THM or their combinations. Accordingly, multivariate linear regression analysis of the concentrations observed show that the levels in total and specific HAA can be predicted from the THM content. These results are relevant for epidemiological studies on health effects from CBP exposure since they usually involve comparison of populations consuming waters of very distinct quality.     

Electronic effects in manganite/insulator interfaces: interfacial enhancement of the insulating tunneling barriers

The transport properties across perovskite oxides heterointerfaces are analyzed. Epitaxial La(2/3)Ca(1/3)MnO3/SrTiO3 (LCMO/STO) heterostructures with different STO insulating-barrier thicknesses are systematically investigated and their behavior compared with LCMO/metal junctions. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements in current-sensing mode show typical features associated with tunneling conduction. Careful analysis of the I-V curves across LCMO/STO heterointerfaces, using the Simmons model in the intermediate voltage range, clearly shows the existence of an interface-induced enhancement of the tunneling barrier of about 1.6 nm on the LCMO side. These results confirm recent theoretical studies predicting electronic phase segregation and the formation of an orbital-ordered insulating phase at the manganite-insulator interface that is a result of the reduction in the number of charge carriers at the interface.     

The roles of respect for parental authority and parenting practices in parent-child conflict among African American, Latino, and European American families.

In this study, the authors examined whether parent-child conflict during the middle childhood years varied among families characterized as having different cultural traditions regarding issues of respect for parental authority and parenting practices. The sample included 133 African American, European American, and Latina girls (M age = 8.41 years) and their mothers. African American and Latina girls showed significantly more respect for parental authority than did European American girls. Furthermore, African American and Latina mothers reported significantly more intense arguments when respect was low than did European American mothers. Higher levels of discipline and better communication by mothers were both associated with reports of lower frequency of conflict; ethnicity did not moderate this association. Thus, respect for authority was most salient to group differences in conflict. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence of water absorption on the mechanical properties of a DGEBA (n = 0)/1, 2 DCH epoxy system

The diffusive, calorimetric, and mechanical behavior of a system composed of a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A (DGEBA, n = 0) and 1, 2 diamine cyclohexane (1, 2 DCH) were investigated during water sorption at different temperatures (23, 47, 58, 77, and 100°C). Experimental results showed that the water absorption at these temperatures fitted well to Fick's law. The water moisture content at the equilibrium temperature and the water moisture content at the equilibrium‐curing conditions dependences have been checked. The activation energy for diffusion was calculated obtaining a value 26.01 kJ/mol. Dynamic mechanical analysis of several samples immersed in water at 100°C during different periods of time showed no significant changes in the glass transition temperature, and a decrease in the storage modulus at 2% of water content was observed. Storage modulus remained essentialy constant above that water content. Values of glass transition temperature were corroborated by differential scanning calorimetric measurements. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 353–358, 1999     

Application of Coffee Silverskin in cosmetic formulations: physical/antioxidant stability studies and cytotoxicity effects

Context: Currently, there is an increasing interest of cosmetic industry on natural extracts. The inclusion of antioxidants in topical formulations can contribute to minimize oxidative stress in the skin, which has been associated with aging. Also, questions of sustainability are leading to the study of new cosmetic ingredients obtained from food by-products. Coffee Silverskin (CS) is a food by-product with established antioxidant activity that has not yet been incorporated into a topical formulation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical and microbiological stabilities and antioxidant activity of a hand cream formulation containing 2.5% (w/w) of CS extract upon production and after 6 months of shelf-life and in vitro safety/cytotoxicity on skin cell lines after production.

Materials and methods: The in vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated with MTS and LDH assays, at different concentrations, in HaCaT and HFF-1 cells. Formulations were stored at 25?°C/65% RH and 40?°C/75% RH. Physical, microbiological, and antioxidant stabilities were evaluated by centrifugation, viscosity, total colony count, DPPH and total phenolic content (TPC).

Results: The hand cream containing 2.5% (w/w) of CS extract showed stable physical characteristics independently of the storage conditions. The DPPH activity and TPC of the CS formulation were significantly higher compared with those of the base formulation. However, during storage, the antioxidant activity decreases slightly. Microbiological quality was also confirmed. No cytotoxic effects were observed.

Conclusion: It is possible to suggest that this formulation is stable under extreme conditions and safe for topical use.